Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Mass defect and nuclear binding energy

Mass defect and nuclear binding energy — practice question

(a)[2]

State what the binding energy of a nucleus means.

(b)[3]

Show that $1.0\,\text{u}$ is equivalent in energy to $930\,\text{MeV}$.

(c(i))[2]

The masses of some particles and nuclei are listed in Fig. 8.1. Use the data in Fig. 8.1 together with the information from part (b) to determine the binding energy of deuterium, in $\text{MeV}$.

(c(ii))[3]

Determine the binding energy per nucleon for zirconium.

(ii)[3]

Find the binding energy per nucleon for zirconium.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 13-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Energy needed to separate nucleons in a nucleus to infinity

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